PRACTICING EVANGELISM AND APOLOGETICS

Western Seminary

Approaches to Apologetics

① Classical, Evidential, Foundational– “Faith is built on a foundation--rational or factual

foundation of undeniable truth.” – The idea behind foundationalism is that there is a

foundation of undeniable truths and from that we build our apologetics.

– Begin with common evidences and rationality to build a case for the existence of God, truthfulness of the Bible, natural moral law, and life after death, etc.

–

How the Classical Approach Works

A. Assume a common way of knowing based on publicly observable facts and universal rationality.

B. Establish the basic reliability of the Bible as a historical document.

C. Show Jesus claims to be God.D. Show that the resurrection is a historical fact.E. This shows the uniqueness of Jesus and validates His

claim to be God.F. Christianity is true.

“With this approach you build on evidences and move toward God.”

Approaches to Apologetics

② Presuppositional, Non-foundationalist– All knowledge begins from presuppositions that

are non-testable, from which all other facts and experiences are interpreted. There are no neutral facts or rationality by which presuppositions can be tested. To try to test God is to repeat the Edenic sin.

How the Presup Approach Works

A. Unashamedly presuppose the truth of the triune God who has revealed Himself in the Bible.

B. Challenge the unbeliever to recognize his presuppositions.

Islam

WiccaPagan

Science

Judaism

Buddhism

Islam

WiccaPagan

Science

Judaism

Buddhism

Taoism

PeaceNew Age

GLBT

How the Presup Approach WorksA. Unashamedly presuppose the truth of the triune God

who has revealed Himself in the Bible. B. Challenge the unbeliever to recognize his

presuppositions. C. Clearly identify the differences between them. D. Assume his presuppositions for the sake of discussion. E. From their worldview Flame-thower them! F. Ask her/him to assume the presupposition of the

triune God of the Bible for discussion. G. Interpret the data of reality from this vantage point

“With this approach God is a presupposition that cannot be tested”– Institute for Creation Research, as an

example, claims the truth of the Bible is untestable they just use the Bible to interpret the data.

Approaches to Apologetics③ No Apologetic, Christian Experience– The Bible assumes the existence of God rather than

proving it (“In the beginning God …”). Jesus and the disciples never argued for the existence of God or the historicity of the Bible. Paul tried to do this in Athens (Acts 17:17ff), but repented of that method (1 Cor. 2:1-6), determining to know nothing save Christ and Him crucified, relying on the power of the Spirit. Neither did he flamethrower any other views (Acts 19:37). Rather they relied on wise proclamation of the gospel, persistent prayer and the consistent Christian life.

“With the approach of ‘No Apologetics or Experiential Apologetics”– problem here is there is no way to

substantiate the truth claims between a Buddhist experience and a Mormon experience and Christian’s Holy Spirit experience.

Approaches to Apologetics

④ Combinational, Cumulative Case

– While facts and rationality are common to all humans, they are filtered through one's preconceptions. Neutrality isn't possible. Faith consists of knowledge (proclamation), assent (apologetics) and trust or commitment (Spirit aided reliance).• Faith: notitia, assensus, fiducia. • Assensus: firmitas, certitudo and evidentia

How the Combination Approach Works

• Present Christianity as a testable truth claim.• Explore other religious truth claims as necessary• Which truth claim explains the most data with

the fewest difficulties.• Apologetics is answering sincere questions the

person has in relation to the believability or truthfulness of Christianity.

• Tests of truth include correspondence, non-contradiction and existential viability.

How the Combination Approach Works

• Tasks of apologetics include– Breaking down intellectual barriers to belief• “What is false for reason cannot be true for faith.”

– Presenting positive foundations for Christianity• Creation• Resurrection• Transformed life

– Showing inadequacies of other belief systems

– Correcting distortions of Christianity

“With the approach of ‘the Cumulative Apologetics”– Gary Breshears, – Newman: combinational– Francis Schaffer at L’Abri did combinationalism look at

the different worldview claims and which one works.• Make them live out their claims and the emptiness of their

claims. – Wright in Simply Christian has a slightly different

approach he begins with • Justice, Beauty, Relationship within a community,

Transcendence. • He talked about a universal longing for these things … he is

focusing on existential viability rather than fact-finding. He says Christianity offers a better explaining for these longings better than any other things.

Definition of Apologetics

"In apologetics the believer in Christ seeks to answer first for himself and like minded ‑believers and second for non believers, ‑questions about the credibility or veracity of the Christian faith." Stanley Obitts,

Key Questions:

• How could a good God allow so much evil into the world?

• How could a true God communicate Himself through the Bible?

• How could a sovereign God allow so many people to suffer?

• How could a just God allow so much killing in the Bible?

• How could a loving God send anyone to hell?

Purpose and Task of Apologetics to Believer

① The main task is to strengthen faith. ②As we try to think Christianly about our

world, we will encounter serious questions about the credibility of our faith. These questions must not be dismissed.

③The believer's circle

The Task of Apologetics to unbelievers

① Always keep the demand for decision before the person.

②The purpose is not to argue the person into faith. Only the Spirit gives illumination to darkened minds of unbelievers.

③The ability to answer every question is neither possible nor crucial. Much more important is:

a. willingness to examineb. the confidence that Christianity will not only survive,

but thrive under honest examination.